Spuds & Aprons, Mount Faber: Bell Jars of Happiness

Does anyone ever get bored of an uplifting view like this? The Jewel Box has rebranded into Faber Peak and combined two former restaurants, Sapphire and Black Opal, to Spuds & Aprons, one restaurant with two areas, air-con or non air-con. The decor is changed to be more casual, to reflect the 20% reduction in menu prices and to attract large groups of diners, especially corporate clients and families. Live bands play on certain evenings.

Lovers, ding-a-ling! You can buy bells at the souvenir shop and hang them either along the railings or arbor. Remember to ring the Bell of Happiness, from the Polish ship Dar Pomorza, dating back to 1909. It’s a lovely place to hold a wedding.

By Executive Chef Derrick Ang, who honed his skills at 4- and 5-star hotels like Fullerton, Grand Hyatt, and Novotel, the modern fusion cuisine was playful and better than Sapphire. Playful such as alcoholic milkshakes, Dom Pedro ($11), vanilla with whiskey and bailey. Get that! Also definitely order chilli crab in a tux ($13), chilli crab stuffed in crispy roast potato skin. At first, I thought “Chey tourist place, confirm chilli crab has no spice.” WRONG. It was spicy and sweet, and the soft texture complement the crispy potato skin.

For mains, I was disappointed that the much raved grilled char siew lamb rack ($39) was available only for dinner, but was consoled by a terrific tobiko crusted cod fillet ($30). It tasted like mentaiko (mayo, roe, salt) on the fish, adding a heavier flavor to the fish, but not overpowering its delicateness. Came with tea soba in tangy, slightly sourish aged ponzu sauce. Quite a smart combination.

The other two mains I tried, oven-roasted mustard marinated chicken ($19) and crispy pork belly ($26), were ok, although the chicken seemed a little bland, and the belly a little tough. Perhaps it was because I took the piece at the edge.

For desserts, go for jar of happiness ($11), Haagen Dazs vanilla ice cream with shortbread biscuits, berries, warm berry compote, and salted caramel. Simple but effective. Even though happiness shared is happiness double, get an entire jar for yourself.

Tip for drivers: Free valet parking for $30 and above in a single receipt, except PH eve and PH.